08-18-2021 ECC MINMeeting of the Elk River
Energy City Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall - Outdoors
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Members Present: Chair Tom Sagstetter, Commissioners Aaron Brixius, Trish Curtis,
Becky Herbert, Vern Iverson, Mike Kavanaugh, Alec Plaisted, Tim
Steinbeck, and Jennifer Wagner
Members Absent: Commissioners Travis Leigh and Casey Mahon
Staff Present: Amanda Erickson, Environmental Coordinator and Colleen Eddy,
Economic Development Specialist
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Energy City
Commission was called to order by Chair Sagstetter at 8:02 a.m.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Sagstetter led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Consider Agenda
No changes were made to the agenda and it was approved, motion by Commissioner
Wagner, second by Commissioner Plaisted.
4. Consider Minutes
Consider minutes from the May 19, 2021 meeting. Minutes approved, motion by
Commissioner Steinbeck, second by Commissioner Brixius.
5.1 Member updates/introductions
Chair Sagstetter provided an update about Elk River Municipal Utilities and Waste
Management's agreement at Elk River Landfill's methane gas plant. The current
agreement will end in 2022 for the operation and maintenance on site. With the price
of renewable energy relatively low in the market, they are facing some challenges
selling the energy in the open market. They are seeking someone to purchase the
methane. Commissioner Brixius explained that this type of energy with a high up-
front cost is often only cost effective in markets with Renewable Identification
Numbers (RINs) that are used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
to monitor compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standards (RFS). ERMU and VIM
staff are working on finding local contacts or organizations that may be interested in
purchasing the biogas for energy production.
5.2 Sustainability Survey
The commission members discussed the draft sustainability survey and plans to work
with city communication staff to refine this a bit. Some commission members felt
the survey was too long and would be better received as a short, few question survey
or possibly broken into multiple surveys/poll questions. The idea of having certain
answers lead to more questions ("if yes, then explain", etc.) was a preferred idea to
get better responses. The survey will be available online and cross promoted by the
City and ERMU when complete. Ms. Eddy shared the idea of incorporating the
survey along with highlighting Energy City's 2Yh Anniversary. The results will be
shared back with the public and ideally used to drive the commission's future
planning and projects.
Revisions will include less questions, quicker replies, and less open-ended questions.
The hope is that a shorter survey will get more responses and a better participation
rate. City staff will work to determine what options we have for such a survey via the
city website and determine how best to execute this. Ideally the survey would be only
a few questions and take less than five minutes in total. The focus for the survey
electric vehicles, rebates and what other topics residents are most interested in.
Ideally the survey will gauge if residents are willing to pay more for sustainable
initiatives either individually or support the city doing so.
The priorities of the survey will be determining awareness, participation/availability
and interest in sustainability and energy related topics. The commission also
discussed how best to share why residents should care about these topics, without
getting too technical in this explanation. The goal is to get the survey updated soon
and distributed via online platforms.
5.3 Drive Electric Week at Farmers Market — September 30`b
City and ERMU staff are working to organize an event at the Farmers Market during
National Drive Electric week to showcase electric vehicles. Corner Stone will be
partnering for the event and offering test drives at the market for residents. There
will be a table where commissions can volunteer their time to talk with residents
attending the market as well. Commissioner Iverson will be connecting with other
local EV drivers to attend the event as well.
5.4 Rebate and EDA Funds: Expense proposals/discussion
There are some funds available in 2021 from the Energy City and EDA budget
specifically for Energy City rebates. The group discussed what items might be
priorities for this year. Recently the EDA added an art piece in downtown Elk River
and are hoping to add solar lights on the art, a good fit for the EDA funds related to
energy efficiency. Other projects discussed included educational signage at buildings
that received rebates, EV education/incentives, revolving green loan fund and
possibly a project with ISD 728. The commission discussed that many businesses are
experiencing hardships right now and likely don't have extra funds for efficiency
projects right now. It was discussed to possibly use funds for the solar picnic table in
2021.
6. Next Meeting Agenda Items (Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at 8:00 a.m.)
Follow up on survey and funds for 2021.
7. Announcements
None
8. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:53 a.m.
Minutes prepared by Amanda Erickson.
Tina Allard, City Clerk
Tom Sagst tter, Chair
Energy City Commission